I lost good comms on our recent Moz trip. I'm now down to receiving only within 50m or so - I assume this indicates a connection has broken/rattled loose.

I removed the socket where the aerial goes into the radio (Kendwood), all seems ok. Maybe just to check. The part you pull out, has an outer ring to tighten and then an inner piepie that slides in - does this piepie have a short wire coming out the end or is it just the tube (like mine).

John, this indicates a very faulty antenna or antenna connector. Check it out with a digital multimeter set to the diode or ohm position.

* Between the outer ring of the connector (refer diagram below) you should have continuity with the Patrol's bodywork, but not the centre pin
* Test for continuity between the stainless steel whip of the antenna and the centre conductor of the antenna connector.
* Test to ensure there is no reading between the centre pin of the connector and the bodywork.

PL259.jpg (64.73 KiB) Viewed 4121 times

You can seriously damage your radio if any of the above conditions are not met.

Also check that the black antenna cabling is not damaged anywhere at all, if so, it must be replaced.

Right, firstly I think I know just enough to be dangerous. Have done checks as follows:

* Between the outer ring of the connector (refer diagram below) you should have continuity with the Patrol's bodywork, but not the centre pin: Affirmative
* Test for continuity between the stainless steel whip of the antenna and the centre conductor of the antenna connector: Affirmative
* Test to ensure there is no reading between the centre pin of the connector and the bodywork.: Affirmative

I haven't checked the cabling, but will give Joe a call to check seeing he did the installation.

Yep, of course the antenna itself might be damaged but you would need instruments to check for that. Best is to let Joe check it out, but please let us know the outcome. In the meantime, don't use the radio.